ADHD
 

I know as a 5 year old the doctors said I likely had ADD. The new psychiatrists seems to think I am still ADD but have added an H into it and calls it ADHD.


The doctor has given me 3 choices:

No medication at all which ends visits to the psychiatrist.

Medication not approved for ADHD but may offer some some relief.

Adderal which after reading seems to scare the pants off me with all the heart warnings for adults and sudden cardiac death mentioned numerous times.


There is a non-stimulant medication which seems to not be as risky, but it's also not covered so would pay full price each month 150-200 estimate.


I am leaning towards no medication at the moment, but then I am also curious to see if a medication brings any improvement and would possibly let me concentrate and maybe not be so all over the place thought and concentration wise which could maybe let me do well in school.

Tough researching it and trying to come to a decision, I only see the psychiatrist every 2 to 3 months for 20 mins or so, so don't get much time to gain info from the doctor.


I am just not sure if there are any viable non-medication treatments for ADHD that don't involve expensive counseling.

Re: ADHD
 

This chart of drugs available for adult ADHD throughout Canada might be helpful - you could then research the different drugs yourself. http://www.caddra.ca/pdfs/Medication...ish_CANADA.pdf and then use the BC pharmacare website to ascertain which ones are covered. Downloadable Drug Data Files - Province of British Columbia

I've found www.rxlist.com a good website for finding out all the side effects etc.

The website seems pretty good and has some information you might find of use (if you haven't already found it). Adults - CADDRA - Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance

Edited to add, there are some support groups for adult ADHD sufferers in BC, this website has some useful info on drugs, free resources and etc. http://www.caddac.ca/cms/page.php?221 and more stuff here http://bcadhd.com/

(I'm sure you have already researched all this, but just in case...)

:)

Re: ADHD
 

I went through the BC Formulary using the meds in this chart you linked


And none of the non-stimulants are covered with 2 of the stimulants covered. Due to anxiety and other health concerns, a stimulant is a poor option with high risk which is the issue.

Looking on pharmacy compass Straterra generic runs 4 to 5 per pill. Adds up quickly.

Re: ADHD
 

All I know there was quite the black market when I was in college for 'surplus' ADHD medication.

Re: ADHD
 

if you wish to keep fit at little or no expense and help the elderly in your community, get an axe, go to the beach and chop some of those logs (trees) up. I am sure you would benefit and so would those in need of extra heating through the winter.

Re: ADHD
 

:confused: as to what that has to do with ADD.


There is some legality issues about that idea, not to mention no possible way to remove the wood from the beach....

Re: ADHD
 

Whoops! It has absolutely nothing, I meant to post on the "so I asked the locals". Sorryí ¾í´“ Perhaps a mod might move it....

You mentioned legal issues with removing logs, I would have thought it would be a public service to tidy the beach. Only saying...

Re: ADHD
 

Re: ADHD
 

Bothered self help information online but one of the most useful things I was told was to not expect to do anything for more than 10 minutes. Ie start cleaning up, then read, the paint, write emails, go for a walk. Whatever. It's much easier if you don't beat yourself up about it.

You must be able to concentrate more than you give yourself credit for as you write long posts on here. I rarely do, I get bored before the end, hah, or maybe my posts are boring.

Just be you. Don't do labels. You are what you are and that's fine, find ways to work with it not hide it.

Re: ADHD
 

Saw this site linked to in the Guardian relating to CBT.

https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Re: ADHD
 

You have made an excellent point there- on a recurring basis too, certainly not a one off- who suggested the diagnosis of ADD JS, I'm intrigued. You may have an inattention variant but from what you tell us about yourself, you don't show significant hyperactivity symptoms. Maybe it is just me ( and bats) but I dislike clinical "labels" - you seem to have been given a number already I giving you more I don't feel is helpful- just my opinion

Re: ADHD
 

Psychologist in 1985, and the current psychiatrist who read that report and spent 90 minutes talking to me on the first day.

I am not sure to be honest all the differences, I just know I have trouble sitting and concentrating especially when others are around/noises/distractions and I am more likely to spend time on things I like vs what I don't and tend to do well in the topics I like and can concentrate quite well, but then in say math or history, my mind wanders as I can't seem to stay focused for whatever reason.

Re: ADHD
 

I understood that ADD/ADHAD people have the ability to hyperfocus

Re: ADHD
 

I read this part at the link below and it's more or less what I do and what I have done all my life.

"the tendency for children and adults with attention deficit disorder to focus very intently on things that do interest them. At times, the focus is so strong that they become oblivious to the world around them.

For children, the object of "hyperfocus" might be playing a video game or watching TV. For adults, it might be shopping or surfing the Internet. But whatever holds the attention, the result is the same: Unless something or someone interrupts, hours drift by as important tasks and relationships fall by the wayside."

- See more at: ADHD and Hyperfocus: Intense Concentration in ADHD Kids and Adults

Re: ADHD
 

Then it might be an idea to ease back off B. expats- it does seem to occupy a considerable portion of your day observing as an outsider.Things can rapidly become an obsession unfortunately.

Re: ADHD
 

My stepson, when he was much younger, would watch TV and when an ad break came on he'd channel hop, often watching something else that couldn't mean anything without having seen more and then go back to his 'movie' when the break was over. He couldn't just wait or even watch the ads.

Other times he'd have a box of beads which he would just tip up and endlessly sort into colours/size etc and put back in the box.

Re: ADHD
 

Doesn't everyone do that ?!

Re: ADHD
 

I thought making a coffee or going for a pee or picking up the paper was more likely. Or just watching the ads.

To watch a couple of minutes of something underway and then see no more?

Do you read a book, get to the end of a chapter, put it down and then read a page and only a page of a random book before starting the next chapter?

Re: ADHD
 

I flipped channels when I was younger when a commercial was on, now I tend to just get up and do something else...then go back, but it's rare I can even find something to watch that keeps my attention to watch.

Re: ADHD
 

The internet in general is for me, its a work in progress, and I have been spending less time on it in general, some days I do better then other days.

I find it easier to avoid on the sunny or at least dry days, on the pouring down rain day's a little harder since well it's no fun outside when your getting drenched. lol

Right now much of the internet use is a general lack of things to fill the day, small towns are not ideal places to be when one needs to fill hours upon hours of the day....lol

Little steps though.

Re: ADHD
 

Get one of these ;)

http://vladsokolovsky.com/forums/pub...lla-smiley.gif

Re: ADHD
 

Once you get on to the medication treadmill, it's extremely difficult to get off. I can say that as I am in that position now for a different condition. We are talking Psych drugs in general.

Enquire up front about side effects and subsequent withdrawal symptoms should you decide to come off medication later on. Don't be fooled - these are really powerful drugs.

I don't know about ADHD treatment, but if you can take the CBT treatment route you will be better off in the long run.

Re: ADHD
 

I do know how miserable coming off the medications are, that is the only reason I am on Effexor still, I just could not deal with the bad symptoms I was having as the dose was lowered and we were only lowering it 37.5mg every 4 weeks, I was okay at first but at around 75mg, I was dizzy, brain zaps, moody, unable to safely work at the time so I went back up and within 24 hours felt fine again.

Coming off these drugs is miserable.

I am on the wait list for CBT, it's done pretty haphazard here and I've gone through it before, it's about 12 hours in total over 6 weeks meeting once a week as a group.

I need to work on some things that just can't be done in a classroom type thing in a group, but one on one therapy is a bit pricey, so have to wait for now.


I am not sure which route I will do yet, not easy to decide, I have taken several groups and some one on one counseling, and self help books, but I am clearly doing something wrong as I can't seem to rid myself of the issues and thinking clearly/more normally.

Re: ADHD
 

I've got one. However when it pours down like it has been, you still end up soaked especially the feet. I need to get some rain boots....lol.. My sneakers can't handle this heavy rain and mini-lakes that form all over.

Doesn't help there is no sidewalk around this area (lots of area's in this town don't have them.) so it's walking in mud, or in the bike lane/side of the road and you get soaked by the cars, who seem to purposely hit the big puddles...;)

Did take the dog for a walk, she went about 10 mins and refused to keep walking, she would not budge, so I carried her home, silly dachshunds hate rain and cold.

Re: ADHD
 

Try the 7 minute workout. Very little equipment and space needed. Do it in the comfort of your own warm and dry home :) Start off doing one round and build yourself up once you get fitter. I almost died doing it the first time but now I can do 4 rounds comfortably. If you're not sure how to do individual exercises search them in youtube.

Exercising in your own home is seriously underrated!

Re: ADHD
 

Take the right drugs and you will be like the normal people ? Sod that. I will live with what and who I am. No need for labels, thanks !

Re: ADHD
 

When depression, anxiety and other issues create a situation where you feel miserable emotionally, it's not about labels. Something has caused me to be severely depressed and anxious for as long as I can remember, back to age 6 or so...

Re: ADHD
 

I shall this, neat chart. Thanks.

Re: ADHD
 

I've suggested this before but here it is again.
GET.gg Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Self-Help Resources

Read it, use it. It is very helpful. I know as I use it myself.

Re: ADHD
 

Check out this website: Surviving Antidepressants.

Re: ADHD
 

No worries, let me know how you get on once you've tried it.

I work in the fitness industry and have trained many clients with depression and anxiety. The effect of exercise and increasing activity levels in general has on such conditions really is quite astounding :)

Re: ADHD